Holgate was appointed to the high court last week to replace Allen Sloan, who retired on Monday after serving as acting chief justice since July 2015.

The Navajo Nation Council's Law and Order Committee approved the bill on Monday that named Holgate to the high court.

"I am privileged that the nation has called upon me to take this opportunity to work again. It's a calling like the Honorable Allen Sloan said, to come forth and serve our people in the most mindful and prudent way," Holgate said in a press release from the Office of the Speaker.

He will serve until the council has confirmed Attorney JoAnn B. Jayne as chief justice. Delegates will consider her appointment at the fall session in October, the release states.